Charity is good. But change is better.

This is the philosophy of Community Shares of Minnesota, a funder of nearly 50 local nonprofits that are tackling hard issues at their core, rather than just addressing symptoms. Member groups focus primarily on improving access to education and healthcare, promoting human rights, securing safe and affordable housing, strengthening communities and creating change through the arts.

We heard from Governor Walz and his administration about the concerns regarding COVID-19 and our office will be closed through April 10, 2020.  The virus is challenging everyone to create and implement plans and policies to best serve our communities.  This requires organizations to develop flexible and responsive plans for operations moving forward.

 

Community Shares of Minnesota is working to comply with the guidance and directives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).  We are in an unprecedented time and strive to make decisions based off what we think is best for our staff, members, and community. Based on recommendations from the CDC and MDH to curb the spread of COVID-19, we feel that the most responsible thing to do is to temporarily close our office.  Staff are working from home, although individual staff members may run into the office once or twice a week briefly for mail collection and remote bank deposits. However, the office will be closed to all visitors until further notice. Any committee meetings will be confined to conference calls rather than in-person gatherings until this crisis is over. We have complete remote access to our systems and are also available via e-mail and telephone.

 

During this time of sequester, many nonprofits will see countless fundraisers canceled, which will undoubtedly place a significant strain on already-limited resources. We encourage you to continue making charitable gifts to your preferred member organizations during this time and consider increasing your giving to help keep them afloat. We will be examining ways we can provide greater support to our member organizations during this period.

 

We will continue to watch for updates and guidance from the MDH, local health agencies, and the CDC. Our top priority is the safety of our staff, members, and the communities we work with. We encourage everyone to continue taking preventive strategies to minimize the risk of exposure.

 

Thank you for your attention and flexibility during this time of uncertainty for our community

Maureen Hartung
Executive Director
Community Shares of Minnesota
mhartung@communitysharesmn.org

CSMN Events

Imagine if...

Imagine if these amendments had not passed, where would we be today.  Where would we be without all of the work of activists who came before us?

Social Justice Timeline

The history of social justice in America

  • Freedom of Speech Amendment- 1st Amendment

    The First Amendment  protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference.  Freedom of expression consists of the rights to freedom of speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the implied rights of association and belief. The Supreme Court interprets the extent of the protection afforded to these rights.

  • Civil Rights Acts of 1866

    The Civil Rights Act of 1866 marked the first time Congress legislated upon civil rights in US History.   It declared that all persons born in the United States as US Citizens.  The legislation granted all (white) citizens the “full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of person and property.”  In addition, all (non taxed) Native American's were declared to be US Citizens.

  • Women’s Right to Vote Amendment- 19th Amendment

    The Women’s Right to Vote Amendment (1920) was the culmination of the women's suffrage movement in the United States, which fought at both state and national levels to achieve the vote. It took nearly 100 years to win this right, largely fought by grassroots female activists. While this was a huge accomplishment for women, it only applied to white women.  It wasn't until the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which suspended the use of discriminating literacy tests and voter disqualification devices, that black women were finally allowed to vote.

  • Native American’s Civil Rights Act

    Also refereed to as the 'Indian Citizenship Act' granted all Native Americans full US Citizenship. It was enacted partially in recognition of the thousands of Native Americans who served in World War I.   This act granted US Citizenship to less than half of all Native Americans living in the US at the time.

  • Brown v. Topeka Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education (1954), now acknowledged as one of the greatest Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century, unanimously held that the racial segregation of children in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

  • Civil Rights Acts

    The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 were proposed by John F Kennedy in 1963.  This act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, required equal access to public places and employment, and enforced desegregation of schools and the right to vote.

  • Indian Civil Rights Act (Indian Bill of Rights)

    Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 is best known for is extending part of the Bill of Rights to individual Native Americans against tribal governments.  This Acts goes farther than the language of the Bill of Rights in that it guarantees "equal protection of the law," something absent from the U.S. Constitution before the Fourteenth Amendment.

  • Roe v. Wade

    Roe v. Wade is the historic Supreme Court decision which overturned a Texas interpretation of abortion law.  It made abortion legal in the United States, which was not legal in many states at the time. In addition, it held that a woman, with her doctor, could choose abortion in earlier months of pregnancy without legal restriction, and with restrictions in later months.

  • Equal Credit Opportunity Act

    the Equal Credit Opportunity Act is a federal law that ensures all consumers and businesses are given an equal chance to obtain credit.  This act made it illegal to discourage an applicant because of sex, marital status, age, race, or national origin, or because they receive public assistance.  This act opened up many new opportunities for many US Citizens.  

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities.  ADA disabilities include both mental and physical medical conditions. A condition does not need to be severe or permanent to be a disability.

  • Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples can marry nationwide

    In 2015 The US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry nationwide, establishing a new civil right and handing gay rights advocates a historic victory.

Creating Change

We are committed to funding social justice

EQUITY

Recent recipients of a $10,000 grant from Headwaters Foundation, Inquilixs Unidxs por Justica (IX) brings groups of tenants in Minneapolis’ worst housing together in order to analyze problems occurring in their living situations, and then strategize and organize around those problems to create affordable, dignified living spaces in Minneapolis.

DIVERSITY

Since 1995 Jewish Community Action (JCA) has been gathering to promote understanding and take action on racial and economic justice issues in Minnesota. JCA works in partnerships with local coalitions, interfaith initiatives, neighborhood groups, and minority and immigrant groups working for social and economic justice in our region from marriage equality, voter engagement, safe schools, & immigration rights

INCLUSION

Caring for the isolated elderly is something that Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly has been active in Minnesota for nearly 50 years. In 2018 683 volunteers met with 522 isolated elderly through one-on-one visits, friendship flower delivery, social activities, & LGBTQ elderly engagement.

THE ARTS

The only nonprofit of its kind, to serve youth experiencing homelessness through art in a long term way Kulture Klub Collaborative brings dignity and respect to young people as they enter adulthood. KKC gives youth opportunities to through workshops, artist-residencies, musical productions, and access to local art and music that helps them to grow in their life skills through art around Minneapolis.